Abstract: A computer-readable medium stores a data structure that encodes an audio performance for interactive playback. The data structure includes a virtual instrument pool, which encodes an interactive part of the audio performance. Audio content of the interactive part is encoded at least in a sequence of synthesizer control data. Each datum in the synthesizer control data specifies a digital sample of the audio content to be played back. The data structure also includes a global accompaniment pool, which encodes non-interactive portions of the audio performance. The global accompaniment pool includes timing information to synchronize the playback of the audio performance.

Abstract: A bundling method involving storing a number of performances on a storage medium, wherein each of the performances is formatted to play on a standard player application program and wherein among the plurality of performances is an enhanced performance that includes enhanced features that are not accessible using the standard player application program; and also storing on the storage medium a reference to an enhanced player application program that enables a computer to play the enhanced performance along with its enhanced features.

Abstract: A bundling method involving storing a number of performances on a storage medium, wherein each of the performances is formatted to play on a first player and wherein among the plurality of performances is an enhanced performance that includes enhanced features that are not accessible using the first player; and also storing on the storage medium a reference to an enhanced player application program that enables a computer to play the enhanced performance along with its enhanced features.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium stores a data structure that encodes an audio performance for interactive playback. The data structure includes a virtual instrument pool, which encodes an interactive part of the audio performance. Audio content of the interactive part is encoded at least in a sequence of synthesizer control data. Each datum in the synthesizer control data specifies a digital sample of the audio content to be played back. The data structure also includes a global accompaniment pool, which encodes non-interactive portions of the audio performance. The global accompaniment pool includes timing information to synchronize the playback of the audio performance.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores a multipart data file. The multipart data file includes an interactive virtual instrument object and a global accompaniment object. The global accompaniment object includes at least a first synthesizer control file and at least a first sound recording file.

Abstract: A method for playing a multipart data file on an interactive karaoke system includes receiving a multipart data file from a source. This multipart data file includes an interactive virtual instrument object and a global accompaniment object. The global accompaniment object includes at least a first synthesizer control file and at least a first sound recording file. This method generates at least one virtual instrument required to process the multipart data file and prompts the user of at least one virtual instrument to provide an input stimuli to the virtual instrument input device associated with that virtual instrument. This generates a performance for that virtual instrument. The method then combines at least one performance with information contained in the global accompaniment object to generate a hybrid performance signal. The virtual instrument is a software object that maps the input stimuli provided by the user to specific notes specified in the interactive virtual instrument object.

Abstract: A control program tangibly stored on a digital storage medium for use with a music system is configured to cause a digital processor to carry out the following functions. It causes the processor to (1) support a plurality of user selectable display formats each of which presents a different representation of the stored musical score when the stored musical score is being played, each of the plurality of display formats indicating to the user when actuation signals signals should be generated to cause an audio component to produce corresponding sounds of the stored musical score; (2) respond to a selection signal from the user identifying a selected one of the plurality of user-selectable display formats; and (3) display the stored musical score using the selected display format.